Cutie mark
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A cutie mark is a symbol that appears on the flanks of ponies in the My Little Pony franchise, most prominently featured in the television series My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic.[1][2] Each cutie mark represents a pony's special talent, unique skill, or defining characteristic.[3][4] In the show's lore, cutie marks typically appear when a young pony discovers their true purpose or passion in life.[5] The concept is a central narrative element in the series, symbolizing identity formation, coming of age, self-discovery, individualism, and personal growth, and is considered a rite of passage within the series.[6][7] Analysts have compared the concept of a cutie mark to predestination and free will, and feminist analysts have interpreted cutie mark acquisition as a metaphor for body positivity, puberty, and menarche.[8][6]
Cutie mark is a play on the term beauty mark. The design and significance of cutie marks vary widely between characters, ranging from simple objects like apples or musical notes to more complex symbolic representations. Cutie marks have become one of the most iconic and defining features of the franchise, frequently serving as visual shorthand to represent the specific pony they belong to.[9]
Appearances
[edit]First, second, and third My Little Pony incarnations (1980–2009)
[edit]In 1981, the My Pretty Pony line of toys introduced unique marks on ponies' flanks (called "Symbols") that identified each character and represented their individual traits or talents.[10]
Generation 3 (G3) My Little Pony toys, produced by Hasbro from 2003 to 2009, featured markings on one hip. These markings represented each pony's unique characteristic or specialty. Early G3 ponies also contained a magnet in one front hoof that activated special playset features, though this was later discontinued due to safety concerns. In 2008, Hasbro narrowed its focus to seven core characters: Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, Cheerilee (previously named Cherry Blossom), Toola-Roola, Starsong, and Sweetie Belle. This period also saw the introduction of "Dress-Up ponies" with a single body pose, which featured a clothing hanger marking on one front leg replacing the heart marking that had previously indicated the magnet location in earlier releases.[11]
Fourth My Little Pony incarnation (2010–2021)
[edit]In Generation 4, cutie marks became a central narrative element, with entire episode plots dedicated to their appearance and significance.[1] Ponies display a distinctive symbol on their flank that represented their special ability or defining characteristic. For example, Pinkie Pie's cutie mark of balloons reflected her talent as an entertainer and party planner, while Applejack's apple cutie mark symbolized her connection to her family's farming heritage.[12]
A recurring storyline in the series revolves around the Cutie Mark Crusaders, a group consisting of three fillies—Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo—who had not yet discovered their special talents and thus lacked cutie marks. Throughout the series, young ponies without cutie marks are often referred to as "blank flanks", a term that carries derogatory connotations when used by bullies. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon frequently use this term to mock the Cutie Mark Crusaders.[a] The trio form a club dedicated to finding their true callings, with their activities and adventures serving as a recurring plot device throughout many episodes.[13] The Crusaders eventually reclaim the pejorative "blank flank" label by embracing their unmarked status as a shared journey rather than a deficiency. After several seasons of attempts, the Crusaders finally receive their cutie marks in the episode "Crusaders of the Lost Mark", where they discover their shared talent: helping other ponies find their own special purposes.
According to design documents, main character Twilight Sparkle was originally conceived with a different cutie mark and hair color during the development stages of Friendship Is Magic.[14]
Cutie Mark Crusaders
[edit]The Cutie Mark Crusaders are a group of three fillies who appear throughout Friendship Is Magic: Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo.[15] The characters are depicted as younger sisters and close friend of members of the Mane Six: Apple Bloom is Applejack's younger sister, Sweetie Belle is Rarity's younger sister, and Scootaloo is Rainbow Dash's biggest fan and surrogate younger sister.[16] The central premise of their storylines revolves around their quest to discover their special talents and earn their cutie marks.[17] After several seasons of attempts, the Crusaders finally receive their cutie marks in the fifth season episode "Crusaders of the Lost Mark", where they discover their shared talent—helping other ponies find their own special purposes.[18]
The group expands beyond the original trio to include additional members Babs Seed (in season 3's "One Bad Apple") and Gabby the griffon (in season 6's "The Fault in Our Cutie Marks"). Academic analysis has characterized them as audience surrogates who appeal to the show's target demographic of children, while fan reception has been mixed, with some adult viewers appreciating their relatability and others finding their episodes less engaging than those focused on the main characters.[19] In SF Weekly, Sherilyn Connelly wrote that the Crusaders function as an audience surrogate and meta-commentary to the show itself, noting that their varied reactions to stories mirror how different viewers respond to the show's tone and worldview.[20]
Reception and analysis
[edit]
Cutie marks have been described as the most recognizable aspect of the My Little Pony franchise.[9] Ewan Kirkland, a professor of media studies at the University for the Creative Arts, described cutie marks as "a literal brand marking which reflects the franchise's firm location in consumer culture."[21] In her review of Friendship Is Magic, Emily St. James of The A.V. Club wrote that "Cutie marks are the Equestria equivalent of tramp stamps".[1]
Analysts have noted that cutie marks function as a form of implicit characterization; while not explicitly stating character attributes, cutie marks allow viewers to infer qualities about the characters based on the imagery. They serve as visual shorthand for a pony's unique abilities or affinities, complementing other characterization elements like color, body type, and profession. For example, Twilight Sparkle's star-shaped cutie mark represents her magical abilities and academic excellence, while Applejack's apple cutie mark signifies her connection to her family's apple farm. Other examples include Bulk Biceps, whose dumbbell cutie mark reinforces his muscular physique, and Granny Smith, whose apple pie cutie mark aligns with both her name and role in the Apple family. In some cases, cutie marks create ironic characterization, as with the character Clover, whose four-leaf clover cutie mark (symbolizing good luck) contrasts with her perpetually unlucky nature.[4]
Cutie marks have been examined in clinical contexts as metaphors for self-discovery and identity formation. In a 2021 psychoanalytic case study, a therapist describes a teenage patient with learning disorders who introduced the concept of cutie marks, explaining them as "designs on a pony's right hind quarter which represented what a pony's specialty was." The therapist interpreted the patient's subsequent focus on designing clothing as her metaphorical way of finding her own "cutie mark"—"and developing her unique talents despite earlier struggles.[8]
Feminist author Melanie Hurley analyzed cutie marks as symbols for female body positivity and bodily development (puberty). Hurley wrote that the episode "Call of the Cutie" creates "a positive narrative around puberty, shifting the conversation around the female body from one of menstrual shame to one of the acceptance of nature." She wrote that the acquisition of cutie marks is a metaphor for menarche: ponies treat receiving their cutie mark as a major life milestone, the characters discussing cutie marks in the episode are predominantly female, and Diamond Tiara's cute-ceañera explicitly frames cutie mark acquisition as a rite of passage. Hurley commented that this coding allows the show to present bodily changes as something to look forward to instead of something to be ashamed of.[6]
In his 2014 article Reconsidering religion and fandom, history professor Andrew Crome examined the use of cutie marks as theological symbols in Christian brony fan works. Crome analyzed how My Little Pony fanfiction writers utilized the established concept of cutie marks to explore religious narratives and ideas. In one example, DracoDei's "Pony James Version" portrays Christ as an earth pony whose cutie mark appears posthumously, showing "his hoof covering something" that symbolizes his covering of sin. Crome noted that since cutie marks represent raisons d'être in Equestrian society, Christ's lack of mark until death served to "further establish his humility," which illustrates how fans incorporate established show elements to communicate religious concepts within the brony community.[3]
Scholars have analyzed cutie marks as symbols of identity expression for fandom communities. In her queer studies book Personal But Not Private, author Stefanie Duguay examined how an LGBTQ+ brony couple adopted Rainbow Dash and Soarin' cutie mark tattoos. According to Duguay, these fans were able to strategically employ fandom symbols alongside digital hashtags that bridged multiple communities to enhance their discoverability in digital spaces.[22]
Some bronies are enlisted personnel in various United States Armed Forces, who have included cutie marks from the show as insignia on their uniforms or equipment, despite not being appropriate practice for most branches, or worn only during training operations.[23][24][25]
In a 2022 article about chronically ill mothers, author Cristina De León-Menjivar (who is also a chronically ill mother) recounted how her six-year-old daughter told her that if she had a cutie mark, "it would be a medicine bottle." In response to this, De León-Menjivar questioned whether her daughter perceived her primarily through her medical condition as opposed to her other qualities as a mother.[26]
See also
[edit]- Ponysona
- My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fandom
- Slang of the My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fandom
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c St. James, Emily (April 29, 2011). "My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic". The A.V. Club. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
- ^ Kirkland, Ewan (2020). "Contextualizing the bronies: Cult, quality, subculture and the contradictions of contemporary fandom" (PDF). The Journal of Popular Television. 8 (1): 87–104. doi:10.1386/jptv_00012_1.
- ^ a b Crome, Andrew (2014). "Reconsidering religion and fandom: Christian fan works in My Little Pony fandom" (PDF). Culture and Religion. 15 (4): 399–418. doi:10.1080/14755610.2014.984234.
- ^ a b Hirvonen, Nina Karoliina (May 2016). Nomen est Omen: Reception of translated and non-translated descriptive names in My Little Pony Tales. Philosophical Faculty, School of Humanities, English language and translation (MA thesis). University of Eastern Finland.
- ^ Connelly, S. (2017). Ponyville Confidential: The History and Culture of My Little Pony, 1981-2016. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. p. 33. ISBN 9781476662091. LCCN 2016044897.
- ^ a b c Hurley, Melanie (2023). "Jem, She-Ra, and My Little Pony Combating Misogyny, Homophobia, and Racism in Girl-Centered Reboots". In Laist, Randy (ed.). The '80s Resurrected: Essays on the Decade in Popular Culture Then and Now. McFarland. pp. 217–231. ISBN 978-1-4766-4855-2.
- ^ Fletcher, Kevin (2018). "My Little Pony, Communalism and Feminist Politics". Orienting Feminism. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 25–42.
- ^ a b Hall, Roderick S. (2021). "Connecting with Children and Adolescents and Deepening Psychoanalytic Treatment: Creative Possibilities for In-Session Use of Digital Media and Devices". The Psychoanalytic Study of the Child. 74 (1): 325–334. doi:10.1080/00797308.2020.1859280.
- ^ a b Tselentis, Kleanthi (2020). Queen of Equestria: A Study of the Career of Lauren Faust and Her Impact on Contemporary Animation (Master's thesis). University. p. 95.
- ^ Miller, Samuel Clark (May 2016). Friendship Is Manly: The Brony Fandom and the Challenge of Masculinity (PhD thesis). Grand Forks, North Dakota: University of North Dakota. p. 6.
- ^ Hayes, Summer (2008). The My Little Pony 2007-2008 Collector's Inventory. Priced Nostalgia Press. p. 3. ISBN 9780978606367.
- ^ Smeds, Mikaela (2016). "Don't y'all care about nothin' other than prettifyin'?": Idiolects in three dubs of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (Master's thesis). Vaasa, Finland: University of Vaasa. pp. 69–72.
- ^ Axeling, Malin (2013). Friendship is Magic: My Little Pony och de män som tittar på den. Institutionen för pedagogik, didaktik och utbildningsstudier (Independent work at C-level in Image/ICT and media) (in Swedish). Uppsala University.
- ^ Begin, Mary Jane (2015). My Little Pony: the Art of Equestria. Abrams Books. ISBN 978-1-4197-1577-8. OCLC 924369325.
- ^ Leslie Salas, Lorin Shahinian, ed. (2024-01-11). The Animated Dad: Essays on Father Figures in Cartoon Television. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-5162-0.
- ^ Ollikainen, Einari (2017). Vaikutteet ja viittaukset japanilaiseen populaarikulttuuriin My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic -sarjassa (Taidehistorian kandidaatintutkielma thesis) (in Finnish). Jyväskylä: Jyväskylän yliopisto. p. 6.
- ^ Sims, Chris (2013-08-19). "The Cutie Mark Crusaders Meddle With Forces They Do Not Understand (Again) In 'My Little Pony Micro-Series' #7". Comics Alliance. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ Snider, Brandon T. (2017). My Little Pony. Volume II: Friendship Is Magic: The Elements of Harmony: The Official Guidebook. New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN 978-0-316-43197-2.
- ^ Blue, Jen A. (2013-08-31). My Little Po-Mo: Unauthorized Critical Essays on My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic Season One. pp. 134–139.
- ^ Connelly, Sherilyn (2012-04-25). "My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, Season 1, Episode 23". SF Weekly. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ^ Kirkland, Ewan (2015). "My Little Pony: A transcultural phenomenon". The Journal of Popular Television. 3 (1): 94. doi:10.1386/jptv.3.1.93_7.
- ^ Duguay, Stefanie (2022). Personal But Not Private: Queer Women, Sexuality, and Identity Modulation on Digital Platforms. Oxford University Press. p. 63. ISBN 9780190076184.
- ^ Winter, Jana (2012-07-18). "Warhorse: The military's 'My Little Pony' fan club". Fox News. Retrieved 2012-07-18.
- ^ Schogol, Jeff (2013-07-25). "Trainees adopt 'My Little Pony' class patch". Military Times. Archived from the original on 2013-07-28. Retrieved 2013-07-29.
- ^ De León-Menjivar, Cristina (2022-11-29). ""Dear Spoonie Mom:" Digital Open Letters as Counter Narratives for Chronically Ill Mothers". constellations: a cultural rhetorics publishing space (5). Retrieved 2025-06-06.
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